The Ultimate Guide to Amtrak Cross-Country Travel

Best Stops While Traveling Cross-Country On Amtrak

The Amtrak cross-country routes we’ve looked at make hundreds of stops everywhere across the country. They range from small towns with just an outdoor platform to ornate stations in the nation’s biggest cities. Here are some of our favorites.

Capitol Limited

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If time allows, spend some time in Washington, DC before departing, taking in the monuments and free Smithsonian museums. Lovers of American history will enjoy a stop in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The town played a crucial role in setting the stage for the Civil War when abolitionist John Brown raided an armory here. It’s also home to the visitor center for the Appalachian Trail, which runs through the city. You may also enjoy a visit to Pittsburgh to take in the city’s incredible geography, excellent food, and art scene. Rock out at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland before arriving to all the history, food, architecture, and culture that Chicago has to offer.

Cardinal

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If you’re heading out of New York, it’s absolutely worth taking some time to enjoy the Big Apple. From food and entertainment to museums and sightseeing, New York City truly has it all. Both Philadelphia and Baltimore stand out as top mid-Atlantic cities with unique culture and history. Charlottesville allows access to Virginia’s beautiful wine country and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, as well as the charm of the college town surrounding the University of Virginia. As the train loops through West Virginia, you may wish to treat yourself to a stop at the famous, nearly 250-year-old Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs or the charming state capital, Charleston. Grab a bowl of Skyline chili to eat like the locals in Cincinnati, and go for a stroll along the gorgeous riverfront area. Finally, put the pedal to the metal in Indianapolis, with a visit to the city’s famous speedway.

Crescent

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The Crescent is one of the best ways to see the southeastern United States. Grab some delicious barbecue and check out the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina. You’ll also pass through Atlanta, one of the hottest cities in the country in recent years and also home to civil rights history, as well as great tours of the headquarters of Coca-Cola and CNN. Continue your education on the civil rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama. But the big attraction comes at the end of the Crescent, with New Orleans. Party in the French Quarter, enjoy delicious cajun food and soak in the history and culture of this diverse and bustling city.

California Zephyr

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Among your first major stops is Omaha, Nebraska. Check out the city’s top-rated zoo, and grab a steak in one of the beef capitals of the nation. Denver is yet another Amtrak stop with almost too much going on to list. Incredible natural beauty lurks just a short distance from the city center, like the Red Rocks area. Denver also offers one of the top craft beer and cannabis scenes in the country. You’ll get incredible Rocky Mountain views from the train itself, but those who love to ski, mountain climb, or other outdoor activities can hop off the train in Granby or Glenwood Springs. In Salt Lake City, take advantage of the free tours to learn more about Mormon influence and history on the area, and look out over the vast expanses of the Great Salt Lake from Antelope Island. Truckee, CA, offers a great base from which to explore the Lake Tahoe area. Finally, your end stop in Emeryville/San Francisco provides an opportunity to explore the bustling San Francisco bay area, rich in arts, food, entertainment, and more.

Empire Builder

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The Empire Builder takes you through some of the best cities of the upper Midwest. Check out Milwaukee’s Harley-Davidson Museum or the Mall of America near Minneapolis-St. Paul. Fargo, ND is a lot more than the setting of a great film and TV series – it’s home to North Dakota State University and a whole host of plains art and culture. Glacier National Park is undoubtedly one of the Empire Builder’s highlights, with several stops throughout Montana. Finally, your endpoints of Seattle or Portland both offer tons of unique Pacific Northwest culture and heritage.

Southwest Chief

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In Kansas City, Missouri, grab some of the city’s famous barbecue and check out the National World War I Museum. Albuquerque offers amazing scenery, Native American culture, and historic Route 66 attractions. Many riders use Flagstaff as a jumping-off point for visits to Grand Canyon National Park. But the city is worth a look in its own right, with a variety of attractions in the surrounding area. Sunny Los Angeles greets you at the end of the route, with its Hollywood culture, fantastic beaches, unique museums, and a food scene with almost unparalleled diversity.

Sunset Limited

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Fans of Texas and the southwest will have plenty of great stops along the way here. Houston offers space nerds a chance to check out Mission Control, while just about everyone will find something of interest in the city’s Museum District. A tour of the Alamo and a stroll around the River Walk are must-dos while passing through San Antonio. Alpine, TX might look little, but it’s the stop for something very big – Big Bend National Park. Soak in authentic border culture in El Paso, and bring your passport for a trip across the border to Juarez! Tucson, AZ, offers easy access to one of the southwest’s most distinctive residents – the Saguaro cactus, at Saguaro National Park. Relax in style as your trip draws to a close in Palm Springs, a luxury oasis in the southern California desert.

Is Traveling Cross-Country on Amtrak Worth It?

Let’s start with who Amtrak cross-country travel is NOT for. If you’re looking to get from one place to another as quickly as possible, train travel is not for you. If you need lots of privacy or lots of space, you may struggle in the sometimes-cramped environments of a train. And if you’re trying to travel on a tight budget, you may find it challenging to do so on Amtrak.

But for those who love the adventure of travel, who understand that the journey is part of the destination, and know that interacting with their fellow travelers is part of the fun, traveling cross-country on Amtrak is absolutely worth it. Compared to flying, you’ll get a much more intimate understanding of the geography of this country and a much better chance to see the sights up close. Compared to driving, you’ll be able to let someone else take the wheel while you watch the sights, eat, or even sleep. For the reasons mentioned above, most people won’t even consider train travel. You and your fellow passengers will already have that sense of community, leading to great conversations with complete strangers sitting nearby or in the dining car.

When you watch a sunset while sipping a glass of wine in the observation car or step outside for a breath of fresh Rocky Mountain air during a stop, you’ll truly understand the joy of long-distance train travel.